Momentary contact switch

ABSTRACT

A momentary contact electric switch includes a pair of normally spaced annular contacts formed of electrically conductive material and supported in an upwardly open annular recess in a reinforcing member formed of a rigid insulating material. A flexible and resilient casing surrounds the reinforcing member, and a switch actuating portion is provided on the undersurface of the crown portion of the casing. The actuating portion includes a downwardly extending rib that is positioned in alignment with an annular protuberance on the upper contact, which in turn is positioned in alignment with a plurality of radially extending protuberances on the lower contact. A plurality of webs extend radially on opposite sides of the downwardly extending rib, so that the actuating portion of the casing has a uniform feel throughout its circumferential extent. The contacts are retained in normally spaced insulated relation by a pair of annular insulating members of limited radial extent that allow the upper contact to flex downwardly relative to the lower contact.

United States Patent Wolf et al.

[ Aug. 29, 1972 [54] MOMENTARY CONTACT SWITCH [72] Inventors: Walter A. Wolf; Prentice R. Corn,

both of Loganspo'rt, Ind.

[73] Assignee: Switches, Inc.

[22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 94,240

[52] US. Cl. ..200/159 B, ZOO/61.54 [51] Int. Cl. ..H0lh 3/12 [58] Field of Search.200/6l.54, 61.55, 61.56, 157 A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,246,112 4/1966 Adams et a1. ..200/168 G 1,801,551 4/1931 Geyer ..200/61.55 2,227,250 12/1940 Dirrig ..200/61.55 3,485,974 12/ 1969 Wolf et al. ..200/61.57 3,209,089 9/1965 Weissburg ..200/ 168 G 2,749,399 6/1956 Sampson ..200/61.56

804,389 11/1905 Dow ..200/ 159 A 2,409,483 10/ 1946 Gandelot ..200/168 G Primary Examiner-David Smith, Jr. Attorney-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon [57] ABSTRACT A momentary contact electric switch includes a pair of normally spaced annular contacts formed of electrically conductive material and supported in an upwardly open annular recess in a reinforcing member formed of a rigid insulating material. A flexible and resilient casing surrounds the reinforcing member, and a switch actuating portion is provided on the undersurface of the crown portion of the casing. The actuating portion includes a downwardly extending rib that is positioned in alignment with an annular protuberance on the upper contact, which in turn is positioned in alignment with a plurality of radially extending protuberances on the lower contact. A plurality of webs extend radially on opposite sides of the downwardly extending rib, so that the actuating portion of the casing has a uniform feel throughout its circumferential extent. The contacts are retained in normally spaced insulated relation by a pair of annular insulating members of limited radial extent that allow the upper contact to flex downwardly relative to the lower contact.

15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures mmtinws m2 3.688.065

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, it has been known to provide a manually actuatable electrical switch for actuating a signalling device, such as a born, at the end of the steering column of a motor vehicle. In typical prior art arrangements, a metal plate is attached to the steering wheel by shoulder screws insulated from the metal plate by an insulating bushing. A compression spring is trappedby a washer under the heads of the shoulder screws and is insulated from the metal plate by the insulating bushing. This arrangement provides a spacing between the plate mounted on the steering wheel and another plate mounted on a detachable actuating member.

In the manufacture of such prior art switches, most of the components are obtained from different suppliers and the switch is assembled for the first timeduring the assembly of the vehicle in which it is to be used. This a manufacturing technique presents many problems, and it is not uncommon to encounter mechanical interference between the parts, bent or loose contact plates, missing insulators or springs, untightenedscrews, improperly sized shoulder screws or shoulder screws that are not bottomed out, missing contacts out of either contact plate, and improperly assembled, or indexed springs. Furthermore, the operation of such switches cannot be checked until they are completely assembled. Additionally, many of such prior art devices depend on a formed spring riveted to one of the contact members or a metal finger from a collector ring that makes contact with the contact plate when assembled. Such components can be bent, broken or not properly indexed and result in open circuits or shorts that would not be discovered until assembly.

Because such prior art devices include clearance gaps for mechanical actuation, and since they inherently must include such components as springs and metal plates moving on screws, in use it hasbeen common for such structures to squeak and rattle. The comlower contact when manual pressure is applied to the crown portion of the casing. The undersurface of the crown portion is provided with actuating means in the form of an annular rib that is positioned in alignment with an annular protuberance on the upper contacts,-

and webs extend in opposite directions from the rib to give the crown portion of the casing a uniform feel. The crown portion simulates the softness of a foam filled pad common to such decorative and safety zone areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings plicated nature of 'such structures has also created SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 The momentary electric switch of the present invention obviates the problems noted above by providing a simple, yet novel, arrangement which can be easily and quickly assembled, which permits complete electrical check-out before shipment, and wherein mechanical interference cannot affect electrical operation. Furthermore, because of the absence of metal to metal contact, the device does not squeak or rattle during use.

The switch of the present invention includes a rigid reinforcing member having an annular recess at the upper end thereof that supports, aligns, and guides two annular electric contacts. A resilient and flexible decorative casing surrounds the reinforcingmernber, and a crown portion of the casing is positioned in juxtaposed relation with respect to the recess in the reinforcing member. Annular insulating members of limited radial extent arepositioned between the contacts and retain the same in normally spaced insulated relationship while allowing the upper contact to be moved into circuit completing engagement with the and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

t The momentary switch 10 is adapted to be secured to the end of a steering column 12, and for purposes of example and not of limitation, the securement means 'may take the form of that illustrated in commonly assigned Corn et al. application, Ser. No. 97,677 filed Dec. I4, 1970.

Switch 10 includes a resilient, flexible casing 14 adapted to surround and enclose a rigid contact supporting reinforcing'member 16. Reinforcing member 16 is formed of an electrical insulating material, such as I a suitable rigid plastic, and reinforcing member 16 includes a generally upright outer wall 18 and a generally irregularly shaped top wall 20 extending radially inwardly adjacent the upper end of outer wall 18. Outer wall 18 is generally frusto-conically shaped, as can be best seen in FIG. 3, and the upper end 22 of wall 18 extends above the upper surface of top wall 20 and cooperates with an annular flange 24 circumferentially inwardly thereof to provide an annular upwardly facing recess 26. The upwardly facing surface 28 at the bottom of recess 26 is flat, and disposed at right angles with respect to the axis of the reinforcing member 16. Surface 28 provides a rigid and stable support for electrical contact members to be hereinafter described, and

flanges 22 and 24 cooperate to positively confine and greater than the outer diameter of flange 24. A tab or connection portion 32 extends downwardly from the inner diameter of contact 30, and the reinforcing member 16 includes clearance means whereby the connection portion 32 is exposed within the interior of the reinforcing member so that a terminal wire assembly can be readily connected thereto.

Flange 24 is provided with a clearance notch 34 (FIG. 2) while an opening 38 is provided in a depressed portion 36 of top wall 20 in radial alignment with notch 34. Notch 34 and opening 38 not only serve to establish communication between recess 26 and the interior of the reinforcing member 16 to facilitate connection of a terminal wire assembly, but. also to provide a means for positively circumferentially locating the contact 30 relative to the reinforcing member 16. In an exemplary embodiment, contact 30 is stamped from a resilient piece of electrically conductive material, but it will become apparent from the ensuing description that for successful operation of the present invention, contact 30 does not need to be resilient and in fact may be rigid. For example, the lower contact may be an integral portion of a support element for the switching assembly, and in such an arrangement, the support element would be formed of an electrically conductive material.

The switch includes a second or upper contact 40 (FIG. 2) that has essentially the same external and internal dimensions as contact 30, so as to be positively confined and guided within recess 26. Contact 40 is stamped from a thin, flat, inherently resilient piece of electrically conductive material. A tab or connection portion 42 extends downwardly from the inner diameter of contact 40, and tab 42 projects downwardly into the interior of reinforcing member 16 through a notch 44 in flange 24, and an opening 46 in top wall portion 36. Notches 34 and 44 are spaced circumferentially from one another by an angle of less than 180, and both notches serve the purpose of angularly orienting their respective contacts, in addition to enabling the connection portions thereof to be readily accessible within the interior of reinforcing member 16.

Each terminal assembly is generally identical, and includes a sheathed wire 48 having an exposed end portion 50 that is soldered, or otherwise suitably connected, to the exposed connection portion of the respective contacts. Wires 48 are connected in a suitable electric circuit, as is well understood by those skilled in the art. Reinforcing member 16 includes a terminal wire support 52 formed integrally therewith which functions to support the terminal wires adjacent their connections to the contacts, so that the terminal wires are not supported merely by their connection to the contacts. In this regard, the top wall of the reinforcing member 16 includes a downwardly extending portion 54 at the inner end of wall portion 36, and a flange 56 extends radially inwardly from the inner end of wall portion 54. Support member 52 is a thin, flat bar that extends diametrically across the opening 58 in flange 56, and upwardly facing notches 60 are provided in support 52 adjacent the outer ends thereof for reception of the wires 48 leading from the contact portions 32 and 42. It will be readily understood that during as sembly, the terminal wires 48 can be positioned in notches 60 to facilitate the connection of the end portions 50 to the contact tabs 32 and 42.

Contacts 30 and may be similar to the contacts disclosed and claimed in commonly assigned Wolf et al. US. Pat. No. 3,485,974. In this connection, contact 30 may include a plurality of upwardly struck embossed protuberances 62, while contact 40 may include an elongate downwardly struck embossed protuberance 64; As is evident from FIG. 2, protuberances 62 extend generally radially with respect to contact 62, while protuberance 64 is a circumferentially continuous annular bead that is positioned in vertical alignment with protuberances 62.

Protuberances 62 and 64 arenormally retained in the area of actuation. The contacts 30 and 40 and insulating members 66 and 68 are maintained in assembled relationship within recess 26 by casing 14, as will hereinafter appear. Alternatively contacts 30 and 40 can be retained in normally spaced relationship with respect to one another by projections formed integrally with reinforcing member 16 or casing 14.

Casing 14 is both a decorative and functional member, and is formed of a resilient material, preferably a decorative plastic, so as to comply with safety requirements when the casing 14 forms the exposed outer portion of the steering column of a motor vehicle. Casing 14 includes a generally upright outer wall 70 that is generally frustoconical in shape so as to closely embraces the wall 18 of the reinforcing member while a flanged configuration 72 adjacent the lower end of wall is seated over a mating flange at the upper end of the steering column 12.

Casing 14 includes an actuating portion 74 at the upper end thereof that is positioned in juxtaposed relationship with respect to recess 26, so that when the actuating portion is manually depressed, the protuberance 64 on contact 40 is brought into circuit completing relationship with respect to one or more protuberances 62 on contact 30. Actuating portion 74 is defined by an inwardly extending crown wall 76 having an annular rib 78 extending downwardly thereof in substantial alignment with the protuberance 64 in contact 40. Because of the flexible nature of the casing 14, when manual pressure is brought to bear against crown wall 76, rib 78 flexes the adjacent portion of contact 40 downwardly to bring protuberance 64 into circuit completing engagement with one or more protuberances 62.

To provide a soft and uniform feel of the actuating portion throughout the circumferential extent thereof, a web structure similar to that disclosed and claimed in commonly assigned copending Wolf et al. application Ser. No. 828,641, filed May 28, 1969, may be provided. In the present invention, a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs extend generally radially between the upper end of sidewall 70 and an intermediate wall 84 of the actuating portion radially inwardly thereof. Each web includes a first portion 80 extending between the upper end of wall 70 and rib 78, and a second portion 82 extending between rib 78 and wall 84. As is evident from FIG. 3, the lower surface of rib 78 is exposed below the lower surface of web portions 80 and 82. so that the rib 78 defines an operating member for causing the switch contacts 40 and 30 to complete an electrical circuit. A decorative medallion 86 may be inserted in the center of the crown wall 76 of the casing 14, if desired.

What is claimed isi l. A switch comprising: a rigid re-inforcing member formed of an insulating material and having an upwardlyopening recess in the upper portion thereof, said recess having a bottom surface; first contact means in the form of a flat flexible'contact member seated within said recess and supported on said surface;

second contact means positioned in juxtaposed relationship with said first contact means in said recess;- means between outer edges of said contacts normally retaining said contact means in spaced insulated relation with respect to one another within said recess; and a resilient casing member surrounding said re-inforcing member, said casing including a flexible actuating portion at the upper end thereof positioned in alignment with said recess, whereby said first contact means is moved into engagement with said second contact means when the actuating portion of said casing is depressed.

2. A switch as set forth inclaim 1 in which said second contact means is also a flat flexible contact member, and wherein said recess and said contact members are annular.

3. A switch as set forth in claim 2 in which one of said contact members includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending portions extending toward the other contact member; and wherein the other contact member includes a circumferentially extending bead extending toward the radially extending portions of said one contact. I

4. A switch asset forth in claim 2 in which said means normally retaining said contact members in spaced insulated relation include an annular outer insulating member interposed between said contact members adjacent the outer diameter thereof and an annular inner insulating member interposed between said contact members adjacent the inner diameter thereof, and wherein said insulating members are loosely received between said contact members, said contact members being held in clamping engagement with said insulating members by said casing member.

5. A switch as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said contact members includes a downwardly extending tab portion adapted to be connected to a leadwire assembly, and wherein spaced clearance openings are provided in the recess of said reinforcing member, each clearance opening having a contact member tab portion extending therethrough; said reinforcing member including means for supporting said leadwire assemblies adjacent said openings, whereby theconnection between the leadwire assemblies and the contact member tab portions do not provide the sole means for supporting the leadwire assemblies.

tion with respect to one another; and a resilient casing 4 member surrounding said re-inforcing member and having a side wall closely embracing the side wall of the re-inforcing member, said casing including a flexible actuating portion at the upper end thereof positioned in alignment with said recess, whereby said first contact means-is moved into engagement with said second contact means when the actuating portion of said casing is depressed.

7. A switch as set forth in claim 6 in which said casing includes an inwardly extending flange adjacent the lower end thereof that is positioned beneath the lower end of the side wall of the reinforcing member, and wherein said casing includes a crown wall extending inwardly of its side wall adjacent the upper end thereof, said crown wall overlying said recess and having said actuating portion on the bottom surface thereof.

8. A switch as set forth inclaim 7 in which said actuating portion includes an annular rib extending downwardly from said crown wall, an intermediate wall extending downwardly from said crown wall in spaced and generally concentric relation with respect to the upper end of said side wall, and a plurality of webs extending radially between said intermediate wall and said side wall, each web including a first portion between said intermediate wall and said annular rib and a second portion between said annular rib and said side wall.

9. A switch as set forth in claim 8 in which the lower end of said annular rib is positioned in alignment with a circumferentially extending bead on one of said contacts.

10. A rigid and unitary reinforcing member for use in a momentary switch, or the like, comprising: a generally upright outer wall; and an irregularly shaped top wall extending generally perpendicularly with respect to said outer wall, the outer periphery of said top wall being positioned below the upper end of said outer wall, said top wall including an upwardly extending flange radially inwardly of the upper end of said outer wall and cooperating therewith to define an annular recess.

11. A reinforcing member as set forth in claim 10 including circumferentially spaced clearance openings in said flange and passage means in said top wall adjacent each opening to provide communication between said recess and the interior of said reinforcing member.

12. A reinforcing member as set forth in claim 10 in cluding a support member depending from said top wall and extending generally diametrically with respect thereto, said support member including holding means facing each of said passage means.

13. An actuating cover for use in a switch, or the like, comprising: a generally upright side wall; a crown wall extending inwardly of said side wall adjacent the upper end thereof; an annular intermediate wall extending downwardly from said crown wall in spaced and generally concentric relation with respect to the upper end of said side wall; an annular rib extendingdownwardly from said crown wall between said side wall and said intermediate wall; and a plurality of webs extending radially between said intermediate wall and said side wall, each web including a first portion between said intermediate wall and said annular rib and a second portion between said annular rib and said side 

1. A switch comprising: a rigid re-inforcing member formed of an insulating material and having an upwardly opening recess in the upper portion thereof, said recess having a bottom surface; first contact means in the form of a flat flexible contact member seated within said recess and supported on said surface; second contact means positioned in juxtaposed relationship with said first contact means in said recess; means between outer edges of said contacts norMally retaining said contact means in spaced insulated relation with respect to one another within said recess; and a resilient casing member surrounding said reinforcing member, said casing including a flexible actuating portion at the upper end thereof positioned in alignment with said recess, whereby said first contact means is moved into engagement with said second contact means when the actuating portion of said casing is depressed.
 2. A switch as set forth in claim 1 in which said second contact means is also a flat flexible contact member, and wherein said recess and said contact members are annular.
 3. A switch as set forth in claim 2 in which one of said contact members includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending portions extending toward the other contact member; and wherein the other contact member includes a circumferentially extending bead extending toward the radially extending portions of said one contact.
 4. A switch as set forth in claim 2 in which said means normally retaining said contact members in spaced insulated relation include an annular outer insulating member interposed between said contact members adjacent the outer diameter thereof and an annular inner insulating member interposed between said contact members adjacent the inner diameter thereof, and wherein said insulating members are loosely received between said contact members, said contact members being held in clamping engagement with said insulating members by said casing member.
 5. A switch as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said contact members includes a downwardly extending tab portion adapted to be connected to a leadwire assembly, and wherein spaced clearance openings are provided in the recess of said reinforcing member, each clearance opening having a contact member tab portion extending therethrough; said reinforcing member including means for supporting said leadwire assemblies adjacent said openings, whereby the connection between the leadwire assemblies and the contact member tab portions do not provide the sole means for supporting the leadwire assemblies.
 6. A switch comprising: a rigid re-inforcing member formed of an insulating material with a generally upright side wall and a top wall extending generally perpendicular with respect to the side wall, said top wall having a recess adjacent the outer periphery thereof; first contact means in the form of a flat flexible contact member seated within said recess; second contact means positioned in juxtaposed relationship with said first contact means at said recess; means normally retaining said contact means in spaced insulated relation with respect to one another; and a resilient casing member surrounding said re-inforcing member and having a side wall closely embracing the side wall of the re-inforcing member, said casing including a flexible actuating portion at the upper end thereof positioned in alignment with said recess, whereby said first contact means is moved into engagement with said second contact means when the actuating portion of said casing is depressed.
 7. A switch as set forth in claim 6 in which said casing includes an inwardly extending flange adjacent the lower end thereof that is positioned beneath the lower end of the side wall of the reinforcing member, and wherein said casing includes a crown wall extending inwardly of its side wall adjacent the upper end thereof, said crown wall overlying said recess and having said actuating portion on the bottom surface thereof.
 8. A switch as set forth in claim 7 in which said actuating portion includes an annular rib extending downwardly from said crown wall, an intermediate wall extending downwardly from said crown wall in spaced and generally concentric relation with respect to the upper end of said side wall, and a plurality of webs extending radially between said intermediate wall and said side wall, each web including a first portion between said intermediate wall and said annular rib and a second portion between saiD annular rib and said side wall.
 9. A switch as set forth in claim 8 in which the lower end of said annular rib is positioned in alignment with a circumferentially extending bead on one of said contacts.
 10. A rigid and unitary reinforcing member for use in a momentary switch, or the like, comprising: a generally upright outer wall; and an irregularly shaped top wall extending generally perpendicularly with respect to said outer wall, the outer periphery of said top wall being positioned below the upper end of said outer wall, said top wall including an upwardly extending flange radially inwardly of the upper end of said outer wall and cooperating therewith to define an annular recess.
 11. A reinforcing member as set forth in claim 10 including circumferentially spaced clearance openings in said flange and passage means in said top wall adjacent each opening to provide communication between said recess and the interior of said reinforcing member.
 12. A reinforcing member as set forth in claim 10 including a support member depending from said top wall and extending generally diametrically with respect thereto, said support member including holding means facing each of said passage means.
 13. An actuating cover for use in a switch, or the like, comprising: a generally upright side wall; a crown wall extending inwardly of said side wall adjacent the upper end thereof; an annular intermediate wall extending downwardly from said crown wall in spaced and generally concentric relation with respect to the upper end of said side wall; an annular rib extending downwardly from said crown wall between said side wall and said intermediate wall; and a plurality of webs extending radially between said intermediate wall and said side wall, each web including a first portion between said intermediate wall and said annular rib and a second portion between said annular rib and said side wall whereby the lower portion of said annular rib will move a switch contact upon deflection of said cover.
 14. An actuating cover as set forth in claim 13 in which said annular rib extends downwardly below the first and second web portions adjacent thereto.
 15. An actuating cover as set forth in claim 13 in which flange means extends generally radially inwardly from said side wall adjacent the lower end thereof. 